Kshama Sawant
Kshama Sawant is an economist, activist and socialist politician in Seattle, Washington. She is an economics professor at Seattle Central Community College, a one-time Washington state legislature candidate, and a current candidate for the Seattle City Council.
Sawant graduated with a B.S in computer science from the University of Mumbai. She received her PhD in economics from North Carolina State University.[1]
Politics
Washington House of Representatives
Sawant was a candidate for the Socialist Alternative party for Position 1 in the 43rd District of the Washington House of Representatives, representing Seattle. Sawant advanced past the primaries with an unprecedented[citation needed] write-in win for Position 2, while also advancing in Position 1 where she was on the ballot challenging Jamie Pedersen. Sawant also sued the Washington secretary of state for the right to list her party preference, Socialist Alternative, on the November ballot. Sawant challenged incumbent house speaker Frank Chopp in the general election on November 6, 2012. Sawant received 29% of the vote, losing the race to Chopp's 70%.[2]
Sawant's campaign criticized Seattle's SWAT team's early morning raid of Occupy Wall Street activists' homes.[3][4] She also advocated on LGBT issues, women's issues, people of color issues and cuts to education and other social programs.[5] She gave a teach-in course at an all-night course at Seattle Central Community College.[6]
Seattle City Council
Sawant ran in 2013 for Seattle City Council, position 2. She won 35% of the vote in the August primary election, and advanced into the general election against incumbent Richard Conlin.[7]
Sawant's 2013 platform includes a minimum wage increase to US$15/hour, rent control, and taxes on the wealthy.[7]
The Seattle Stranger endorsed her state house candidacy and her city council candidacy.[8]
Notes
- ^ Robert L. Clark, "Financial Education and Retirement Savings", 3/27/2003, "[1]", 9/4/2012
- ^ "Legislative District 43 : Rep Position 2". King County Elections. State Legislative Races Results, November 2012 General Election. November 28, 2012. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
- ^ SocialistAlternative.org, "Socialistalternative.org", "[2]", 9/4/2012
- ^ Brandi Kruse, "Mynorthwest.com", 7/10/2012, "[3]", 9/4/2012
- ^ OlySocialistAlt, "OlyBlog.net", 2/14/12, "[4]", 9/4/12
- ^ Jseattle, "Capitol Hill Seattle Blog", 10/30/2011, "[5]", 9/4/2012
- ^ a b Young, Bob (August 6, 2013). "For Seattle council: Conlin against Sawant, O'Brien against Shen". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
- ^ Stranger Election Control Board (July 17, 2012). "Endorsements for the August 7 Primary Election". The Stranger. Vote or We'll Kill You. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
External links
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- Living people
- American economists
- American politicians of Indian descent
- American Trotskyists
- Committee for a Workers' International
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- American economist stubs
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